Hi guys,

After three years in Switzerland (Lugano), and a month in Bern, this is my first post in the forum. I guess it comes out of boredom, as I don't really have any questions. Anyway, a friend of mine is visiting tonight and I have to get him out. I guess we're going to Turnhalle or something. Any other suggestions, as I don't know many places yet, or anyone who wants to meet would be great!

Ciao

PS. Since it's my first post I should really thank this forum, it has been extremely helpful in the past. So, thanks!

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

Welcome to Berne Giavol.

You probably mean Markthalle near the main railway station.

(Turnhalle is a school fitness room.)

http://www.markthalle-bern.ch/

The Turnhalle bar in Bern (part of PROGR on Speichergasse) really exists and really is a former school fitness room. It is a nice (and very popular) place to go, even if sometimes you can feel a bit old as a 30-something there. The Beeflat series of concerts on Wednesdays and Sundays is worth checking out. http://www.bee-flat.ch/

Oh and welcome to Bern! I am a bit late for the OP's questions but Reitschule and Bierhubeli are also worth checking if you want to see some music. Cafe Alpin on Gerechtigkeitsgasse and the Zsa Zsa bar on Brunngasse are cosy (and tiny) places in the old town to have a drink, or the Altes Tram Depot is good if you are in a big group wanting cloudy beers.

Well I am almost thirty, but yesterday in Turnhalle, I was not feeling that old.

Thanks a lot for the info, especially the concerts seem very nice, so I'll definitely keep them in mind.

Truth is that up till now I kind of like it here, apart from the weather of course, but there are certainly many more options than Lugano.

hi and welcome to bern!

i'm also greek, have been living here for 4 and something years. bern is nice, but it can be a bit boring when it comes to nightlife. it all depends on what kind of places you like going or what kind of music you enjoy, of course.

do you smoke? if yes i could tell you which places have fumoirs (i'm sure i'll get groaned for that). if you don't smoke, good for you!!

anyway, i hope you'll settle in quickly, see you around!

Hi Crimson, thanks for the welcome!

Well, boring is never nice, but having lived three years in a retirement facility (Lugano), Bern seems that has quite a lot to offer. Well, for now at least.

I am into indie kind of music, and people have told me that in Bern, it's always more or less about indie and alternative culture, which sounds rather refreshing to me.

And yes I am kind of a smoker, so please do tell me, although I must say I hate fumoirs. I dream of the summer and seating outside smoking like a normal person .

i'm into indie music too and most of the time we have to travel to zürich or lausanne for gigs. i don't think that bern has really an alternative culture, but maybe after living in london i am expecting too much!

isc is a nice place http://www.isc-club.ch/programm, reitschule as well.

as far as fumoir go, there are not too many! of course being able to smoke like a normal person outside is better...but for the cold nights you can try:

chez edy at baerenplatz has a fumoir at the back of the place. it is served and you can even have food there. stay open until around midnight at weekends http://www.restaurantsuche.ch/inform...chez-edy-bern/

anker near zytglogge has a fumoir upstairs, also served and you can also have food http://www.roeschti.ch/

drei eidgenossen http://www.bern-incoming.ch/en/page....reiEidgenossen has a fumoir which is difficult to find, as you have to enter from a door on the right of the main one. you have to order your drinks at the bar and get them upstairs yourself. not really recommend the place, as it doesn't feel llike part of the bar. just a few tables basically and a pool table. there is no music but there is a juke box. it is not very cosy.

Well, thanks a lot! I have always thought that this forum has been more than helpful! But since I don't really like to go drinking by myself, I am always interested in meeting new people. Are there any EFers events in Bern?

Hi Giavol,
Welcome to Bern! You should keep an eye on the social events pages for Bern. We are meeting on Tuesday (7th) for dinner, you should come if you have time! You can RSVP if you click on the event.
Hope to see you there

There is a place called Restaurant des Pyrenees near the Zeitglocke it is the nearest thing i have found to a pub - 500ml beer for 5.50chf and there is a fumoire. I recently quit smoking but do appreciate the fumoires.

Welcome! Today we have a Chinese dinner activity as already mentioned. Maybe we will see you there.

There is a group that meets every Tuesday in Bern @19:30 in various locations, tonights
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Weekly meet up as usual!

WHEN:
Tuesday 7th Feb 2012 from 7.30pm onwards.

THE VENUE:
Einstein Café
Kramgasse 49 - not far from the Zytglogge
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I'd mention the group name & link , but EF doesn't like competition, as previous posts taken down when mentioned !!

Unfortunately, today in the evening I have a german course, so I don't think I can make it to the dinner. Maybe I can make it to the competitors though!!

Viel spass at German
There are a few of us determined to liven up the Bern section of the EF, so, keep checking the events page. Next time we organise something, I'll let you know (unfortunately, newbies aren't allowed to organise actual events yet, so I have to get others to do it for me )